Went to my U/S yesterday. It is a good thing they didn’t take my blood
pressure because I am sure it would have been sky high! I was so
nervous everything wouldn’t be okay with my baby boy. But my little guy
is still a baby boy and he is a BIG baby boy!!! He is measuring 3 1/2
weeks older than he is!!! That is definitely a result of my Gestational
Diabetes. He is footling breach but he is healthy, has a good strong
heartbeat, good blood flow and good healthy kidneys. After already
having two c-sections, I knew this little guy was going to be another
one, but he decided to try a new kind of breach position. My girls were
all transverse, but he is head up and feet right down on my cervix.
That really explains why I feel the painful kicks down there. He was so
sweet with his little head of hair and his chest rising a falling while
he did his practice breathing. I am so in love with this little guy!

I don’t know why but I always get nervous when my baby is getting
checked out. I think of them doing the U/S today and I am terrified
that they will find something bad. I am going in for a fetal assessment
and an U/S today. And even though I have no reason to think I need
luck, I would like to ask you to wish me luck that nothing bad turns up.

Well, I am 32 weeks pregnant now and I haven’t been hospitalized yet
even though my blood pressure and blood sugars are high. So that is
good. I have the babies room basically ready. It isn’t cute yet, but
it can be a home for my baby should we need it soon. The baby is as
active as heck and I love to feel him beating and banging around in
there. He is such an active little guy it makes me feel good. He feels
huge inside me compared to how my girls felt, I guess I will find out
how big he is at my U/S tomorrow.

Here is another awful pic of me. This one was taken at 32 weeks and I
have flour on my arm from making breakfast bars for my girls
breakfast. (I love making breakfasts that can be nibbled on all day.)

Feb 24, 2012

For about 6 months, I posted on another blog. This a post that was copied from that blog. I used different names for the family. Just so you know the names were as follows:Prince Charming - Wandering Aengus Princess Belle - LillyPrincess Magpie - RosePrincess Snifflefritz - LotusLittle Prince - Reed

*sigh* “Mommy, I sad”

“Oh, why are you sad?”

*unrecognizable babble* “need cupcake”

“Do you need a cupcake?”

*Big Breath of relief* “Yeah!”

“Well if all it takes to make my baby happy is a cupcake, you can have one. Here you go.”

“Thank You Mommy!”

If only all life’s problems were as easily solved.

Just another little note, I never felt like I was an older pregnant
mother (even though I knew intellectually I was) until today when a
friend told me that she was soon to be a grandmother. Wow, if I had
started my family earlier that could be me. I am certainly old enough.

One of my favorite things is to listen
(eavesdrop) on the girls in the room at night. It is too cute and kind
of heartwarming to hear them together. Like this conversation while
Lilly was sleeping I could hear this:

I don’t mean to be complaining, but I am still feeling yucky. I do have
another doctor’s appointment tomorrow, on the 23rd, the 27th and the
29th. I am a little worried that I will end up in hospital soon. But
in the meantime, I will keep following up on all their concerns, doing
all the tests that they want and keep good tabs on my baby boy.

Feb 21, 2012

For about 6 months, I posted on another blog. This a post that was copied from that blog. I used different names for the family. Just so you know the names were as follows:

Prince Charming - Wandering Aengus Princess Belle - LillyPrincess Magpie - RosePrincess Snifflefritz - LotusLittle Prince - ReedI am feeling kind of yucky today. I just feel tired, short of breath
and kind of headachey. I hope this is not a sign of things to come. I
don’t want to spend the remainder of my pregnancy feeling a general
feeling of yucky.

I had some tests done yesterday and I had some more today. So
hopefully I will have good news from that. (or at least no bad news
anyway)

Well today I got some good deals on used furniture. I spent about $180
and got some bunk beds for the girls, a hide-a-bed couch for the living
room, a play pen, and a stroller. On Monday another really nice leather
couch for the living room is being delivered and a 4 in 1 crib and a
bunch of baby boy clothes has been promised to me. I am so relieved.
We are set now. We needed so many things and I was stressing on how to
get them all. Things were wrecked in our move and I suddenly found
myself needing things for our home. I needed somewhere to sleep for the
guest who is coming to help Wandering Aengus with the girls when I am
in the hospital. I needed better beds for the girls, because their room
is too small for all those beds and the toddler beds have been
destroyed anyway. I needed somewhere for the baby to sleep and I needed
some more clothes for the baby. In one short day, I got all of that
taken care of. I love it when things come together like that.

Just a little thought, knowing that my blood pressure is up and that
there is a good chance I could end up in the hospital very soon is doing
nothing to bring my blood pressure down. Now, I am rushing around
trying to make sure everything is ready for any emergencies that may
occur.

Well, I had a prenatal appointment this morning. And, my blood sugars
are up, my blood pressures are up and we are apparently probably going
to be on the fast track for this little one. I am going to be on insulin
and blood pressure medication. I am a little panicked. I have tests to
schedule, U/S to schedule, and things to do. Not the news I was hoping
for. Since we only just moved recently, I am NOT ready for this little
guy. But with all my previous pregnancies hospitalization followed soon
after my blood pressures going up. I am going to be on blood pressure
medications and insulin. On Monday we are going to go out and buy a
crib and get some stuff for the house for if I get hospitalized again
and some stuff for me. I was really hoping to have at least another
month before my blood pressures started going up.

Feb 15, 2012

For about 6 months, I posted on another blog. This a post that was copied from that blog. I used different names for the family. Just so you know the names were as follows:

Prince Charming - Wandering Aengus Princess Belle - LillyPrincess Magpie - RosePrincess Snifflefritz - LotusLittle Prince - ReedOne thing that I have noticed about our homeschooling this year is that
we have done better than I thought we would. I was really worried that
with the move and the delays caused by it, we were going to be really
behind and then with the baby coming, I really figured we would have to
do work all summer to keep up. But truthfully all the pressure I put on
us was pointless. We worked so hard that we are actually ahead of
where I wanted to be. Even with the baby coming and the inevitable time
off that will entail, we are going to be done early. We will have lots
of time to do unit studies and fun things which makes me happy. The
only thing we will have to be working on during the summer is math, but I
am good with that because it is such a weak point with Lilly that I
would rather keep it fresh in her mind all year through. I am going to
do some unit studies and some field trips and fun things during the
summer just because we like it. But I do feel a lot better about where
we are now.

Feb 13, 2012

For about 6 months, I posted on another blog. This a post that was copied from that blog. I used different names for the family. Just so you know the names were as follows:

Prince Charming - Wandering Aengus Princess Belle - LillyPrincess Magpie - RosePrincess Snifflefritz - LotusLittle Prince - ReedI got more done on the nursery today. I was sorting through clothes
and picking out the bags I was going to take to the hospital and
puttering away at it all. I am feeling more confident that we will have
it all done in time now. I did realize that I am going to have to
shopping for some baby clothes, but truthfully picking out clothes for
my new baby to wear is NOT a chore. LOL

I realized today that Lilly and I are doing REALLY REALLY well with
our homeschool schedule for this year. I am going to have time to do
unit studies and to take time off when I have the baby. I am so glad.
The only thing we will have work on over the summer is math, but that is
NOT our strong suit and it will be good to keep it fresh in her mind.

I made a kind of yummy breakfast bar this morning. It would be really really good with nuts in them too.

For supper I made a version of Pasta Puttanesca. I made it a little
spicy and it was really really good. Even Lilly had two servings.
MMmmmmm . . . yummy!

Steps:
1. Mix all ingredients together and press into a 8 x 13 pan. Bake 15 –
18 minutes, or until done. Cut while warm but don’t move until cooled.
These were a little soft in the middle and VERY TASTY!

Cook the pasta in plenty of rapidly simmering water until al dente, then drain.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and sauté until over
low heat until golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the olives, roasted
peppers, tomatoes, capers, olives and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to
low, and add the brine and tomatoes.

Cover and simmer for at least fifteen minutes.

Combine the cooked pasta with the olive sauce in a large serving bowl.

Feb 12, 2012

For about 6 months, I posted on another blog. This a post that was copied from that blog. I used different names for the family. Just so you know the names were as follows:

Prince Charming - Wandering Aengus Princess Belle - LillyPrincess Magpie - RosePrincess Snifflefritz - LotusLittle Prince - ReedI am making headway on the nursery. I have it mostly empty except a
few boxes we have to go through. I am relieved about that. I am hoping
to have the crib in the next couple of weeks.

I am loving how much stronger this babies kicks and movements are
than my girls were. He is so strong and definite in his kicking that it
actually hurts sometimes. LOL It gives me confidence in him and his
health. It makes me wonder whether he may be bigger than the girls
were.

I love on how I reinvented leftovers and used them three days in a
row in different ways. The first day I made a pasta sauce, the second
day I used the sauce added spices, beans and veggies and turned it into a
quick veggie chili type dinner. The third day, I made a cornbread and
put over the leftovers. It was sooo yummy. (Although for my personal
tastes, I would make the cornbread less sweet, but that is how Aengus
likes it.

I am making headway on the nursery. I have it mostly empty except a
few boxes we have to go through. I am relieved about that. I am hoping
to have the crib in the next couple of weeks.

I am loving how much stronger this babies kicks and movements are
than my girls were. He is so strong and definite in his kicking that it
actually hurts sometimes. LOL It gives me confidence in him and his
health. It makes me wonder whether he may be bigger than the girls
were.

I love on how I reinvented leftovers and used them three days in a
row in different ways. The first day I made a pasta sauce, the second
day I used the sauce added spices, beans and veggies and turned it into a
quick veggie chili type dinner. The third day, I made a cornbread and
put over the leftovers. It was sooo yummy. (Although for my personal
tastes, I would make the cornbread less sweet, but that is how Aengus
likes it.

We are having a nice relaxing Saturday today. I haven’t taken a my
yucky medication yet and so I still have energy. I am thinking I may
try to get some things done before I take it and feel miserable again. I
just feel so good right now and I am enjoying it. For breakfast I
wanted to make something yummy for the girls so here is what I made.

Leftover Rice Rice Pudding

2 cups leftover cooked brown rice
3 cups vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup sugar (I actually used a sweetener instead)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon,
Combine all ingredients in a rice cooker and let it run it’s cycle.
It was easy and yummy. I will say you have to watch that it doesn’t
bubble over in the rice cooker, but the girls loved it. They couldn’t
even wait for it to cool toe at it.
If you have the patience, divide rice pudding into individual serving dishes serve warm or chilled.
Makes 4-6 servings.

I have a little extra chili in the house today and for lunch I
thought I would make some cornbread and bake over top of it. I will let
you know how it turns out!

For about 6 months, I posted on another blog. This a post that was copied from that blog. I used different names for the family. Just so you know the names were as follows:

Prince Charming - Wandering Aengus Princess Belle - LillyPrincess Magpie - RosePrincess Snifflefritz - LotusLittle Prince - ReedWe are having a nice relaxing Saturday today. I haven’t taken a my
yucky medication yet and so I still have energy. I am thinking I may
try to get some things done before I take it and feel miserable again. I
just feel so good right now and I am enjoying it. For breakfast I
wanted to make something yummy for the girls so here is what I made.

Leftover Rice Rice Pudding
2 cups leftover cooked brown rice
3 cups vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup sugar (I actually used a sweetener instead)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon,
Combine all ingredients in a rice cooker and let it run it’s cycle.
It was easy and yummy. I will say you have to watch that it doesn’t
bubble over in the rice cooker, but the girls loved it. They couldn’t
even wait for it to cool toe at it.
If you have the patience, divide rice pudding into individual serving dishes serve warm or chilled.
Makes 4-6 servings.
I have a little extra chili in the house today and for lunch I
thought I would make some cornbread and bake over top of it. I will let
you know how it turns out!

Here is my idea:Leftover Chili topped with Cornbread
Ingredients:
Leftover chili (or canned veggie chili)
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar (or sweetener)
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup water
Spread chili in the bottom of an oven safe dish. Then mix dry
ingredients in a bowl with a fork or a whisk. Stir in wet ingredients
but don’t mix too much.
Spread over chili and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the edges are a little brown and tests done with a toothpick.
For supper I am making a hash of root veggies which is always a big hit in our house.

Feb 10, 2012

For about 6 months, I posted on another blog. This a post that was copied from that blog. I used different names for the family. Just so you know the names were as follows:

Prince Charming - Wandering Aengus Princess Belle - LillyPrincess Magpie - RosePrincess Snifflefritz - LotusLittle Prince - ReedI realized today that I know nothing about the hospital here in HRM. I
have had three kids before but none here. I don’t know what I need to
bring for the baby, I don’t know what the procedures are. I really need
to do some research. It is scary to think that this is creeping up on
me so quickly and I have so many things to get organized!!!!

I realized today that I know nothing about the hospital here in HRM. I
have had three kids before but none here. I don’t know what I need to
bring for the baby, I don’t know what the procedures are. I really need
to do some research. It is scary to think that this is creeping up on
me so quickly and I have so many things to get organized!!!!

Feb 9, 2012

For about 6 months, I posted on another blog. This a post that was copied from that blog. I used different names for the family. Just so you know the names were as follows:

Prince Charming - Wandering Aengus Princess Belle - LillyPrincess Magpie - RosePrincess Snifflefritz - LotusLittle Prince - ReedI worked hard today, trying desperately to clear out all the boxes that
are in Reed’s nursery to be. I got a lot done. I am hoping to have it
done within a week. Wandering Aengus doesn’t understand why I need to
have it done so soon when I am not due until April. But, we know that
given my prenatal history, I probably have a month or so at the most and
for my own sense of well-being I need to have the nursery done and my
hospital bag ready. So, here’s to my being industrious and getting it
all done soon.

I worked hard today, trying desperately to clear out all the boxes that
are in Reed’s nursery to be. I got a lot done. I am hoping to have it
done within a week. Wandering Aengus doesn’t understand why I need to
have it done so soon when I am not due until April. But, we know that
given my prenatal history, I probably have a month or so at the most and
for my own sense of well-being I need to have the nursery done and my
hospital bag ready. So, here’s to my being industrious and getting it
all done soon.

Since starting my plant based diet, I have noticed that my Gestational
Diabetes has gone through the roof. My sugars just keep getting higher
and higher and I am really not sure what to do about that. I am going
to approach it by trying to increase my proteins and lower my carbs and
see if that helps. I am open to any ideas anybody out there may have.

Since starting my plant based diet, I have noticed that my Gestational
Diabetes has gone through the roof. My sugars just keep getting higher
and higher and I am really not sure what to do about that. I am going
to approach it by trying to increase my proteins and lower my carbs and
see if that helps. I am open to any ideas anybody out there may have.

Now, I have a question for all you homeschooling moms out there, when
you are homeschooling at your kids are tired, do you try to get them to
continue on and do their work anyway? I don’t know. I did today, but
for the most part, I don’t want our schoolwork to be a drudgery. I would
like there to be enthusiasm, but at the same time I don’t want it to be
a matter of simply pleading tired and then you don’t have to do
anything? How do you find a balance? I am interested in your thoughts on
it.
For supper tonight I experimented with making split pea soup in a
slow cooker today. It apparently takes a LOT longer than I expected so I
am leaving it in there to cook away and I am improvising with something
else yummy for supper. This is the basic recipe that I am making, but
as this is just the idea I have come up with and I will be making it for
the first time, I will be experimenting with it a little.

Directions
1.Cook the rice noodles according to the instructions on the packet –
often this is just pouring boiling water over them and leaving them for a
while.
2.For the Sauce: Place peanut butter and water in a sauce pan, heat
on low heat and whisk until mixture is uniform. Add vinegar, honey, soy
sauce and red chili flakes.
3.Set aside.
4.In a wok, heat half the oil, half the ginger, and half the garlic.
5.When hot, add tofu and stir fry for a few minutes.
6.Add tofu to sauce and set aside.
7.To wok add the rest of the oil, ginger, garlic, and onion.
8.When hot add the broccoli (which should be chopped into manageable
bits, including the stems) and the other veggies, then stir fry a few
minutes.
9.Add the soy sauce and stir fry until broccoli is just tender and bright green.
10.Add sauce to broccoli and stir until everything is coated with sauce.
11.Add the rice noodles and combining well (you may want to cut them up if they are very long). .
12. Top with lightly toasted chopped nuts and scallions.

I thought I would share a belly pic today. It is NOT a good one, I
hate my hair, the angle and everything, but it does show my HUGE belly
at exactly 29 weeks. I am feeling really, really tired lately and I am
worried about having enough energy to get the things done that I need to
do.

Wandering Aengus is carnivore of the biggest degree, motto is that it
isn’t food unless something died. But he is giving my plant based diet
a try! He willingly volunteered to try this meal plan but when it came
time to actually eat, he grudgingly gave it a shot. And he is
actually liking it! Last night, I mixed leftover veggie chili with
rice, beans, zucchini, corn, green onions and salsa. Then I served it
in vegan wraps with a little extra salsa, green onions, and some
tofutti cream cheese (I added a little spicy hummus to mine). He LOVED
IT! He ate so much at supper, his belly hurt and then he proceeded to
eat a couple more over the course of the evening! He said, you can’t
feel deprived eating food like that.

For breakfast this morning I made oatmeal and added chopped apple,
raisins, cinnamon and sugar. For the girls, I topped it with a little
peanut butter. They LOVED it! Rose even had seconds.

To simply roast the veggies:
Preheat oven to 450ºF. Place vegetables in large bowl and toss with
remaining ingredients. Spread on large baking sheet to form a single
layer. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 400ºF and roast an
additional 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender when pierced with a
fork.

To make it more of a hash like we serve it:
Place veggies in oven in an oven safe dish. Roast at 300ºF – 350ºF
adding veggie broth to moisten as needed. I like it cooked low and slow
until the veggies get extra soft and start to create an almost creamy
texture along with the veggie broth. I like this a little salty and
served with fresh bread but season to your taste. It is also good with a
yummy vegan mushroom gravy mixed through it.

I looked around today and I loved what I saw. Lilly was curled up in
a chair reading one of her favorite “learning” books, stopping every
once in a while to share some exciting thing she hadn’t know before.
Lotus was running around with a board book looking at all the colors and
shapes and Rose was sitting with her daddy on the couch, telling him
all about the book she had, explaining all about it and getting it
right! I love days like this that show how much my girls love to learn.

I was feeling tired and worn out today. It is a by-product of my
medication combined with my pregnancy. Anyway, I let Lilly do some
reading today for homeschool. She read for about 3 hours straight. She
picked out science books and history books. She took projects out of
the books to try and was excited to show me what she was doing. She
even took an interest in the Egyptian books we have and tried to write
her name and mine (mom) in the way that they did. Afterwards, she took
out some art books and did some pop out art. So, she did good even if I
was worn out.

For supper last night I made a fabulous veggie chili. Today I
combined the leftovers with rice, some extra seasoning and some veggies
and made wraps. I like to be creative and nobody is missing the meat
yet. I even had fresh bread made for everyone for their lunch today,
which is always a big hit.

Feb 3, 2012

For about 6 months, I posted on another blog. This a post that was copied from that blog. I used different names for the family. Just so you know the names were as follows:

Prince Charming - Wandering Aengus Princess Belle - LillyPrincess Magpie - RosePrincess Snifflefritz - LotusLittle Prince - ReedI tried something new today. I wanted to make something different
for the girls for breakfast. They were a real hit and I will definitely
be making these again.

Steps:
1. Mix all ingredients together and drop in balls onto cookie sheet.
Bake 10 minutes, or until done. Mine came out still in balls and the
girls thought they were great. These would be good with sunflower seeds
or nuts in them and formed into bars as well. I am going to try it
that way next time. VERY TASTY!

Feb 2, 2012

For about 6 months, I posted on another blog. This a post that was copied from that blog. I used different names for the family. Just so you know the names were as follows:

Prince Charming - Wandering Aengus Princess Belle - LillyPrincess Magpie - RosePrincess Snifflefritz - LotusLittle Prince - ReedI am definitely feeling pregnant these days. I am tired and grouchy. I
don’t remember my belly feeling this heavy with my other pregnancies. I
do love feeling the baby move, I just wish I had more energy to get
everything done that I need to. We are doing our homeschool, I just
wish I had enough energy to put a little extra stuff into it right now.

I went to the local fruit and vegetable market yesterday. It is
called Dave’s Fruit & Vegetable Market and it is WONDERFUL! I went
hog-wild picking up a full shopping cart of fruits and veggies and I was
nervous when I got to the register that I had over-spent, but when I
got there, I had only spent $60 on enough fruits and veggies that I
could hardly fit them all into the fridge. I actually had to get a
large basket and put on the top shelf so that I could stack a bunch of
them up in it. It was wonderful! There was just so much variety, I
can’t wait to make another trip. I honestly can’t see me buying any
fruits and veggies at the regular grocery store again. I will be making
weekly trips down the road to the market instead and getting local,
organic, yummy, inexpensive fruits and veggies.

I used some spiced peppers, onions and potatoes with a little hummus
and Tofutti Cream Cheese on a vegan wrap for my breakfast this morning
and it was FABULOUS!!! I am making Ratatouille for supper tonight and I
can’t wait to dig in!

In regards to homeschooling, I am so excited to have found a
Scholar’s Choice store here in town. There are so many things I can’t
wait to buy. There are so many resources there that I will be using to
help my girls.

I am also amazed at how much my girls learn by just having a learning
environment. Lilly is always coming up to me and telling me things she
has read in a science book, or a history book or some other ‘learning’
book that we have. Rose has demonstrated that even before I started to
really offer my help via book homeschooling, she knows all her colors
and her numbers up to ten and most of her alphabet. She is only three
and she is amazing me already.

And Lotus is already proving to be farther along than Rose was at her
age. She speaks more clearly, has almost no baby talk, counts to five
and we keep finding out she knows so many things that we didn’t realize
she knew. And she is only TWO!

Twitter

About Me

I wonder . . . who does the dishes at Cinderella's house. What happened
in her happily ever after? Does she ever get elbow deep in spaghetti
sauce, finger paint and bathwater while Little Princesses make a royal
mess on the floor? I got my fairy tale, Prince Charming came and swept
me away. Now what? That's where the story ends. This is where I live
happily ever after. And along the way, I am finding myself again. I have moved
from following the crowd to following my own path, prefering the life of
a vegetarian, green-living, homeschooling mom. My old-fashioned,
carnivorous, Prince Charming is not sure how he ended up married to
someone like me, but he supports me in being the person that I am and
even loves me for it.

Recipe Note:

Some of the recipes I post I have invented myself, and others I was sent via email from my friends. These are recipes that I really enjoyed and wanted to share. If this recipe is yours, let me know and I would be happy to link to your site and to give you all appropriate credit.